Why Understanding This Matters for Bible Prophecy Today
A Teaching for Reach NZ Evangelism Network
One of the most misunderstood doctrines in modern Christianity is the relationship between Israel and the Church. Many teach that the Church replaced Israel. Others insist the Church is a completely separate “Gentile body” and that God will return to an Old Covenant national program with ethnic Israel in the future.
Scripture teaches neither of those ideas.
The Church has not replaced Israel. Nor is the Church a separate identity from Israel. The Church is New Covenant Israel — the continuation and fulfillment of God’s covenant people under a better covenant established in Christ.
To understand this clearly, we must distinguish between Judah’s national rejection of Messiah and God’s continued covenant work through the believing remnant of Israel — and recognise the spiritual battle surrounding both.
1. Judah’s Rejection and National Cutting Off
Scripture foretold Messiah would be rejected:
Isaiah 53:3 (NASB):
“He was despised and forsaken of men…”
Jesus wept over Jerusalem because of their unbelief (Luke 19:41–44), and national judgment followed.
Paul explains:
Romans 11:20 (NASB):
“They were broken off for their unbelief…”
Judah, as a nation under its leadership, rejected Messiah and experienced dispersion among the nations. In that sense, they were cut off nationally, and the full national restoration of their kingdom promises was postponed until their future repentance (Romans 11:26; Zechariah 12:10).
But this was not the end of God’s covenant purposes.
2. God Continued Through the Remnant of Israel
Paul is clear:
Romans 11:1 (NASB):
“God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be!”
There was always a remnant.
The apostles and early disciples were Israelites. Many were from Galilee — historically associated with the northern tribes (the House of Israel). Through this believing remnant, God continued His covenant promises when national leadership rejected Christ.
The olive tree was not uprooted.
Romans 11:17 (NASB):
“You, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree.”
The covenant root continued through believing Israel, and Gentiles were grafted into that same tree.
3. One Covenant People — Grafted In Through the New Birth
Both Jews and Gentiles enter this covenant body the same way — through faith in Christ and the new birth.
Unbelieving Jewish branches were broken off because of unbelief, but:
Romans 11:23 (NASB):
“They also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in…”
Individual Jewish people today can be grafted back into their own olive tree when they believe in Messiah.
Gentiles are grafted in the same way.
Galatians 3:29 (NASB):
“If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.”
Thus the Church is New Covenant Israel — the continuation of God’s covenant people through believing Israel, expanded to include believing Gentiles.
4. Future National Restoration of Judah
Although Judah was cut off nationally, Scripture promises future restoration.
Zechariah 12:10 (NASB):
“They will look on Me whom they have pierced…”
Romans 11:26 (NASB):
“And so all Israel will be saved…”
The regathering of the Jewish people in the land historically known as Israel marks a significant stage in prophetic history. But national spiritual restoration will only be completed when Messiah returns and they recognise Him.
This restoration will happen not because of their obedience, but because of God’s covenant faithfulness.
5. Antisemitism Is Antichrist
We must address a vital spiritual reality.
Antisemitism is not merely political or ethnic hatred. It is spiritual rebellion against God’s covenant purposes.
Satan hates the Jewish people because:
- Jesus the Messiah came as a Jew (Romans 9:5).
- Salvation is rooted in Israel’s covenants.
- God’s promises to Israel reveal His faithfulness.
Hatred of the Jewish people ultimately reflects hatred toward God’s redemptive plan.
The spirit of Antichrist opposes Christ (1 John 2:22). To oppose the people through whom Christ came — and through whom God revealed His covenants — aligns with that same spirit of opposition.
But this spiritual hostility does not stop with ethnic Israel.
The New Covenant Church — composed of believing Jews and Gentiles — is also God’s covenant people. For this reason, Christians throughout history have been intensely persecuted.
Satan’s hatred extends to:
- Ethnic Israel because Messiah came through them.
- The Church because Messiah dwells within them.
Both are targets because both are connected to Christ.
This is why Scripture warns Gentile believers:
Romans 11:18 (NASB):
“Do not be arrogant toward the branches…”
Arrogance toward Jewish people is not merely theological error; it risks aligning with the very spirit that opposes God’s covenant purposes.
True biblical understanding produces humility, gratitude, and love — not pride or hatred.
6. A Unified Prophetic Picture
The biblical pattern is consistent:
- Judah rejected Messiah and was cut off nationally.
- God continued His covenant purposes through the believing remnant of Israel.
- Gentiles were grafted into the same covenant root.
- Individual Jews can be grafted back in today through faith.
- National Judah will be restored when they look upon the One they pierced.
There is one olive tree.
- One covenant root.
- One Messiah.
- One New Covenant people.
Clear Conclusion
- God has not replaced Israel.
- God has not abandoned Israel.
- God has not created two separate covenant peoples.
He continued His promises through believing Israel, beginning with the apostles, and expanded those promises to include Gentiles who believe.
Antisemitism is antichrist because it opposes God’s covenant faithfulness and rejects the people through whom Messiah came. At the same time, persecution of Christians flows from the same spiritual hatred — hostility toward Christ and His covenant people.
Understanding the relationship between Old Covenant Israel and New Covenant Israel protects us from pride, from antisemitism, and from prophetic confusion.
It anchors us in humility.
It magnifies God’s faithfulness.
And it aligns us with His unfolding redemptive purposes in these last days.
— Prepared for Reach NZ Evangelism Network
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